Explanation

Methylprednisolone acetate (also called Depo-Medrone) is a type of medicine called a corticosteroid. It is used to treat inflammation of your intestines caused by Crohn's disease.

Methylprednisolone acetate is also used to treat other inflammatoryconditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, ulcerative colitis and tuberculosis (TB).

What does it do?

Methylprednisolone acetate blocks the chemicals, released by white blood cells, which cause the inflammation.

What does it look like?

Methylprednisolone acetate is a liquid that comes in glass vials that each contain only one dose. You take the liquid as injections.

When do I have to take it?

Your doctor will tell you how often he or she will give you the injections. It will depend on how long you feel better for between injections and how serious your illness is.

But what if I don't feel like taking it?

Even if you don't feel like having your next injection, it's important that you keep your appointment with the doctor.

If you don't want to keep having this medicine for some reason, it's important that you talk to your doctor about it. It can be very dangerous if you stop having your injections suddenly.

What should I do if I forget to take it?

Your doctor or nurse will most likely be the person giving you the injection every time, so they will remind you when you will need to have them. He or she will make an appointment for you and tell you when you will need to go and have your next injection.

It's also a good idea to write the date of your next injection on a calendar and make sure the adult looking after you knows when you next need to go and have it.

How much should I use?

The amount of medicine and the number of injections you need will depend on how bad you are feeling. Your doctor will tell you how much he or she will inject and where in your body you will get the injection , as well as how many injections you will have.

What are the most likely side effects I might get?

The most likely side effects to look out for are:

Rash, swelling on your face, wheezing or difficulty breathing

Extreme tummy pain that you may even feel in your back, blood in your poo and/or vomiting blood

Sharp chest pain, breathlessness and coughing up blood

Headaches, no energy and feeling sleepy

You should tell your doctor straight away if you notice any of the side effects in the list above, BUT don't stop taking methylprednisolone acetate.

If you get an infection, it may be harder for adults and your doctor to notice early on, because methylprednisolone acetate can hide or change the signs of infection. It can also make it harder for your body to fight the infection, so it's important that you tell your doctor if you're feeling unwell or have a high temperature, so that you can have some medicine to help you fight it before you get really sick.

What other side effects might I get?

If you stop taking methylprednisolone acetate, at first you may get things like itchy skin, fever, sore muscles and joints, runny nose, sticky eyes, sweating and weight loss.

Is it safe for me to be taking it?

It's very important that you tell your doctor if you know you are allergic to any medicines that have a corticosteroid in them or if you get a rash, or other signs of an infection.

Also, BEFORE you start taking methylprednisolone acetate, you must tell your doctor if you have:

Chicken pox, measles, or a herpes eye infection or if you may have been near someone who has

Depression, or if someone in your family has had depression

Diabetes or if anyone in your family has diabetes

Epilepsy

High blood pressure

Hypothyroidism

AND if you have any of these or if you have had them in the past:

Pain or weakness in your muscles when taking steroids

A stomach ulcer or other serious stomach problems

Tuberculosis (TB)

If you are meant to be having a vaccine, you must tell your doctor that you are taking methylprednisolone acetate before you have it. Some kinds of vaccines (called live vaccines) can be dangerous if you are being given methylprednisolone acetate, so this is very important.

It's also very important that you and the adults looking after you tell your doctor immediately if you notice that you are feeling sad and lonely a lot, if you are not enjoying things you used to and/or if you are having thoughts about hurting yourself.

Is it okay for me to be taking it if I'm already taking other medicines?

Methylprednisolone acetate may not mix well with other medicines, which means that it might not work as well as it should, or the other medicines may not work as well as they should. So, you must tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines or any you have bought without a prescription.

It's very important to tell your doctor if you are taking any of the medicines in this list:

Aminoglutethimide

Antibiotics

Aspirin and NSAIDs like ibuprofen

Epilepsy medicines

Medicines for heart problems or high blood pressure

Diuretics

Ketoconazole or itraconazole - used to treat fungal infections

Is there anything else I need to know about methylprednisolone acetate?

While you are taking methylprednisolone acetate, you may not grow as much as normal. Because of this, your doctor will give you the smallest dose he or she can for the shortest possible time. You can talk to your doctor if you think you are getting too many injections or if you want to know why you are getting how many you are.

You should ask your doctor about getting a medic-alert bracelet or pendant, so that if you have an accident or are unconscious, people will know immediately that you are taking a corticosteroid and can get help for you.

What if I have any more questions?

If you have any other questions, you can ask your doctor, or chat to other people about methylprednisolone acetate in the Medikidz forums and virtual world, Mediland.